Pneumatic dishcarge arrangements for hoppers

ABSTRACT

A pneumatic discharge arrangement for hoppers includes a pneumatic tube having an upper slot for receiving materials and discharging them from the hopper. The tube is provided with a valve arrangement that includes a resilient valve which during the discharging operation lies to one side of the slot in a retracted position. To close the slot a plurality of thrust elements stretch the valve from its retracted position across the slot into engagement with a valve seat supported on the other side of the tube.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Franklin P. Adler Michigan City, Ind. [21] Appl. No. 843,560 [22] Filed July 22, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 14, 1971 [73] Assignee Pullman Incorporated Chicago, Ill.

[ PNEUMATIC DISCHARGE ARRANQEMENTS FQR HOPPERS 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 302/52, 25 1/342 [51 1 Int. Cl B65g 53/46 [50] Field of Search 302/52; 251/7, 8, 336, 342

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 143,907 10/1873 Hyde 251/7 1,761,721 Gipe 251/8 2,371,434 3/1945 Eppler 25 1/7 x 2,396,544 3/1946 Voyle et al 251/7 x 3,436,054 4 1969 c61e etal 251/8 Primary Examiner- Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-W. Scott Carson Attorneys-Hilmond O. Vogel and Wayne Morris Russell ABSTRACT: A pneumatic discharge arrangement for hoppers includes a pneumatic tube having an upper slot for receiving materials and discharging them from the hopper. The tube is provided with a valve arrangement that includes a resilient valve which during the discharging operation lies to one side of the slot in a retracted position. To close the slot a plurality of thrust elements stretch the valve from its retracted position across the slot into engagement with a valve seat supported on the other side of the tube.

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FRANKLIN 24 wavzaa PNEUMATIC DISCHARGE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOPPERS SUMMARY The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved pneumatic discharge arrangement which will permit material to be deposited in the air steam of a pneumatic tube at the upper end thereof; including a valve mechanism which will be infinitely adjustable between open and closed positions, which will provide a more efficient discharge of material, and which can be readily cleaned with a minimum of effort. This is achieved by the construction summarized below.

The pneumatic tube disposed underneath the hopper is provided with a slot to receive material from the discharge end of the hopper. Supported on one side of the tube is a rubberlike valve seat having a sloping wall conforming generally to one of the sloping walls of a hopper. The other side of the tube supports a rubberlike valve member which in the open position of the slot is retracted. By means of a plurality of thrust bars the valve member can be expanded to any position across the slot and into sealing relation with the valve seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a hopper structure with portions of a supporting structure such as the side still of a railway car shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a detail elevational view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, with portions shown in cross section, of a pneumatic discharge arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing one position of a closure valve;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing another position of a closure valve;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through a modified construction of a pneumatic discharge arrangement; and

FIG. 7 is another cross-sectional view through a modified pneumatic discharge arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1 a hopper structure is generally designated by the reference character l0. The hopper structure 10 may be of a stationary type or may be supported between the side sills II of a vehicle such as railway car. The hopper structure 10 comprises a plurality ofdownwardly converging walls 12 which are provided at their lower ends, as best shown in FIG. 3, with a discharge end 13. A pneumatic discharge arrangement generally designated at 14 is disposed beneath the discharge end 13. The arrangement 14 comprises a tube or tubular housing 15 which. as best shown in FIG. 4, is provided with an arcuate wall 16 and upright walls 17 and 18 thereto. In the modification shown in FIG. 6 a short section of upright wall is designated at 19 and this modification will be described in more detail.

The upright wall 18 is provided with a horizontal flange 20 and wall 17 is provided with a horizontal flange 20'. A rectan gular strap type of metal frame 2I is provided with a rectangular opening 22 extensive with the discharge end 13 and communicating with a receiving slot 23 formed by the spaced upright walls 17 and 18, as best shown in FIG. 4. The housing 15 is provided at opposite ends, as best shown in FIG. 2, with end walls 24' from which project tubular sections 24 which are closed by means of closure caps 25 and bail locks 26 of conventional construction. The tubular sections 24 upon removal of the caps 25 permit the connection thereto of a suitable pneumatic discharge mechanism for withdrawing materials from the hopper structure 10.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 an expanda' ble valve member is designated at 27 and is provided with a horizontal flange 28 which is secured between the rectangular frame 21 and the flange 20 by means of fasteners 29 which extend through holes 30 in said flange 28. As best shown in FIG. 3, an end strap 31 of flexible material is supported on the end flange 21 at one end of the discharge arrangement 14. The end strap 31 is also provided with holes through which extend the fasteners 29 for securing the end flange 21', the strap frame 21 and the flexible end strap 31 in assembly. The end straps 31 also are suitably bonded to the flange 28 of the expandable valve member 27. While only one end of the arrangement I4 shows this specific arrangement, the other end is identical.

The expandable valve member 27 also is provided with an upper downwardly sloping wall 33 terminating in an arcuate sealing edge 34 extending substantially the length of the member 27. The valve member 27 also includes a horizontal lower wall 35 which has projecting downwardly with respect thereto a flange 36 which is suitably secured to the upright wall 17 by means of a horizontally extending strap 37 and suitable fasteners 38.

The valve 27 is adapted to cooperate with a valve engaging member 39 supported on the upright wall 18. The valve engaging member 39 comprises an upper downwardly sloping wall 40 substantially in the plane of one of the walls 12. The member 39 includes a horizontal flange 41 disposed between the rectangular strap flange 21 and the flange 20 of the housing 15. At the lower terminal end of the wall 40 there is provided a horizontally extending lip 42 providing a valve seat for receiving in sealing relation the arcuate sealing edge 34 as indicated in FIG. 4. The member 39 includes a vertical wall 43 which is suitably secured to the upright wall 18 by means of a horizontally extending strip 44 including fasteners 45.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the valve member 27 is adapted to be expanded into a sealing or closed relation relative to the lip 42 by means of threaded thrust bars 46. Thrust bars 46 include end portions 47 which are embedded within the rubberlike valve member 27 and each includes a horizontal slot 48. A flat bar 49 also embedded within the valve member 27 is supported within the slots 48 and connects the two thrust bars 46 which, as shown in FIG. 3, are positioned at opposite ends of the tubular housing 15. As best shown in FIG. 4, the thrust bars 46 are movable through openings 50 provided in the upright wall 17. A rotatable actuating member or hand screw 5I is threaded onto each thrust bar 46, and during rotation in one direction, is adapted to react against an angle bracket designated at 52 in FIGS. 4 and 5, and particularly against a vertical flange 53 which slidingly supports each thrust bar 46. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the thrust bars 46 are slidingly movable relative to an angle bracket 54 having downwardly projecting flanges or ears 55 between which the rotatable hand wheel 51 is supported. As best shown in FIG. 5, the end of each thrust bar 46, designated at 56, has projecting therefrom a relatively thin sheetlike end portion 57 being provided with a slot 58.

In FIGS. I through 5, a hinged locking plate 59 is suitably connected to the angle bracket 52 and includes a pair of slots 60 through which the flat end portions 57 project. In the upper folded position the hinge plate 59 is unlocked. In the downwardly hinged position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, with the car seal 61 applied, the hinge plate 59 is in a locked position and the thrust members 46 are locked against movement so that the valve member 27 is closed.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the hinge plate 59 is hingedly supported on the bracket 54 and the plate 59 is disposed in a locked position with a car seal 61 extending through a slot 61' provided in a bracket 60' supported on one of the flanges 55.

In the modification shown in FIG. 6, a valve engaging member 62 is of sheet metal construction rather than that of the flexible type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The valve engaging member 62 comprises an arcuate portion 63 forming a continuation of the arcuate wall 16 of the tubular housing 15. The wall 63 is joined to a sloping wall 65 by means of an arcuate lip or wall 64 providing a horizontally extending valve seat. An upper horizontal wall or flange 65 is seated upon the flange 20 below a rubber gasket strap 66 secured in position by means of the rectangular frame 21. A similar end gasket strap 67 is provided at opposite ends of the housing 14, as shown in FIG. 6.

The modification shown in FIG. 7 discloses another type of valve engaging member 68 which may comprise a rubber or other resilient material and includes a horizontal flange 69 disposed between the flange 20 and the rectangular frame 21. The member 68 includes a downwardly extending or sloping wall 70 substantially in the same plane as one of the walls 12, and an inwardly sloping wall 71 joined by a portion providing a horizontally extending recessed valve seat 72. The member 68 also includes a vertical flange 73 which by means of a horizontally extending strap 74 and suitable fasteners 74 connect the said member 68 to the upright wall 18 as shown in FIG. 7.

An expandable valve member 75, in FIGS. 6 and 7, includes an upper flange 75 disposed between the flange 20' and rectangular frame 21. The valve member 75 also includes converging walls 76 and 77 terminating in a triangularly shaped sealing end 78 which is adapted to engage the seat 72 of the member 68 and the arcuate portions 64 of the member 62. To provide for greater ease of expansion of the member 75, which may be of a resilient rubber or plastic construction, hollows 79 are provided. As disclosed in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, the thrust bars 46 are embedded within the said member 76 and function in identical manner in opening and closing as the other valve members. The valve member 75 is also provided with a vertical flange 80 secured against the upright wall 17 by means of straps 81 and suitable fasteners 82.

THE OPERATION hinge plate 59in the position shown in FIG. the hand wheels.

50 may now be actuated to move the thrust bars 46 to the right, shown in FIG. 4, whereby the flexible valve member 27 may be returned to its contracted position disclosed in FIG. 5. In this position the slot 23 is open to provide for the discharge of materials from the hopper through one of the tube sections 24 and through a suitable pneumatic conveying arrangement. By virtue of the novel construction disclosed the valve member 27 may be moved to infinite positions across the slot 23 to permit the required discharge of material. Also by virtue to the configuration of the valve engaging member 39 and the valve member 27 effective and tight sealing is accomplished. When the valve 27 is open the material is also discharged into the top of the air stream and thus is effectively and efficiently conveyed.

The operation of the modification shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is identical, the improvements residing in the design and configuration of the valve engaging members 62 and 68. In each of the arrangements the valve seats 42-64-72 are constructed so as to prevent any residual material'being retained thereon after pneumatic discharge has been concluded. Further, effective sealing is maintained. The material disclosed for the valve member 27-75 and valve engaging members 39 and 68 may comprise any suitable resilient type of material such as plastic, rubber or other resilient type of materials.

It is thus apparent that an improved pneumatic discharge arrangement and valve mechanism therefor has been disclosed and described. 7

What is claimed is:

1. In a hopper structure having first and second downwardly converging walls providing a horizontally extending discharge opening,

a pneumatic discharge arrangement for said discharge opening including a pneumatic tube having a receiving slot substantially coextensive with said discharge opening,

said arrangement including a first sidewall on one side of said tube, said sidewall having a valve seat,

a second sidewall on an opposite side of said tube,

a resilient valve membersupported on said second sidewall,

said valve member having an upper wall converging from said second sidewall toward said valve seat,

said valve member in the open position being retracted to one side of said slot to permit the discharge of materials to said tube,

mechanically actuated thrust means connected to said valve member and adjustably supported on said second sidewall,

means cooperating with said thrust means and reacting against said second sidewall for expanding said resilient valve member laterally over side slot, and

a sealing portion on said valve member engaging said valve seat to close said slot relative to said discharge opening,

said first sidewall including a resilient member and said valve seat comprising a resilient material, and

said valve seat including a resilient rib projecting inwardly into said slot and being substantially coextensive lengthwise therewith, and said sealing portion engaging the horizontal surface of said rib in overlapping sealing relation therewith.

2. In a hopper structure having first and second downwardly converging walls providing a horizontally extending discharge opening,

a pneumatic discharge arrangement for said discharge opening including a pneumatic tube having a receiving slot substantially coextensive with said discharge opening,

said arrangement including a first sidewall on one side of said tube, said sidewall having a valve seat,

a second sidewall on an opposite side of said tube,

a resilient valve member supported on said second sidewall,

said valve member having an upper wall converging from said second sidewall toward said valve seat,

said valve member in the open position being retracted to one side of said slot to permit the discharge of materials to said tube,

mechanically actuated thrust means connected to said valve member and adjustably supported on said second side wall,

means cooperating with said thrust means and reacting against said second side wall for expanding said resilient valve member laterally over said slot, and

a sealing portion on said valve member engaging said valve seat to close said slot relative to said discharge opening,

said first sidewall including a resilient member and said valve seat comprising a resilient material,

said valve seat including a resilient rib projecting inwardly into said slot and being substantially coextensive lengthwise therewith, and side sealing portion engaging said rib, and

said rib engaging and overlying the upper wall of said valve member.

3. In a hopper structure having first and second downwardly converging walls providing a horizontally extending discharge opening,

a pneumatic discharge arrangement for said discharge opening including a pneumatic tube having a receiving slot substantially coextensive with said discharge opening,

said arrangement including a first sidewall on one side of said tube, said sidewall having a valve seat,

a second sidewall on an opposite side of said tube,

a resilient valve member supported on said second sidewall,

seat,

said valve member having an upper wall converging from said second sidewall toward said valve seat,

said valve member in the open position being retracted to one side of said slot to permit the discharge of materials to said tube,

mechanically actuated thrust means connected to said valve member and adjustably supported on said second sidewall,

means cooperating with said thrust means and reacting against said second sidewall for expanding said resilient valve member laterally over said slot, and

connecting said members. 4. The invention in accordance with claim 3, said thrust members having threaded portions. and said cooperating means including screw means rotatably supported on said second sidewall drivingly engaging said screw means.

i i i l i 

1. In a hopper structure having first and second downwardly converging walls providing a horizontally extending discharge opening, a pneumatic discharge arrangement for said discharge opening including a pneumatic tube having a receiving slot substantially coextensive with said discharge opening, said arrangement including a first sidewall on one side of said tube, said sidewall having a valve seat, a second sidewall on an opposite side of said tube, a resilient valve member supported on said second sidewall, said valve member having an upper wall converging from said second sidewall toward said valve seat, said valve member in the open position being retracted to one side of said slot to permit the discharge of materials to said tube, mechanically actuated thrust means connected to said valve member and adjustably supported on said second sidewall, means cooperating with said thrust means and reacting against said second sidewall for expanding said resilient valve member laterally over side slot, and a sealing portion on said valve member engaging said valve seat to close said slot relative to said discharge opening, said first sidewall including a resilient member and said valve seat comprising a resilient material, and said valve seat including a resilient rib projecting inwardly into said slot and being substantially coextensive lengthwise therewith, and said sealing portion engaging the horizontal surface of said rib in overlapping sealing relation therewith.
 2. In a hopper structure having first and second downwardly converging walls providing a horizontally extending discharge opening, a pneumatic discharge arrangement for said discharge opening including a pneumatic tube having a receiving slot substantially coextensive with said discharge opening, said arrangement including a first sidewall on one side of said tube, said sidewall having a valve seat, a second sidewall on an opposite side of said tube, a resilient valve member supported on said second sidewall, said valve member having an upper wall converging from said second sidewall toward said valve seat, said valve member in the open position being retracted to one side of said slot to permit the discharge of materials to said tube, mechanically actuated thrust means connected to said valve member and adjustably supported on said second side wall, means cooperating with said thrust means and reacting against said second side wall for expanding said resilient valve member laterally over said slot, and a sealing portion on said valve member engaging said valve seat to close said slot relative to said discharge opening, said first sidewall including a resilient member and said valve seat comprising a resilient material, said valve seat including a resilient rib projecting inwardly into said slot and being substantially coextensive lengthwise therewith, and side sealing portion engaging said rib, and said rib engaging and overlying the upper wall of said valve member.
 3. In a hopper structure having first and second downwardly converging walls providing a horizontally extending discharge opening, a pneumatic discharge arrangement for said discharge opening including a pneumatic tube having a receiving slot substantially coextensive with said discharge opening, said arrangement including a first sidewall on one side of said tube, said sidewall having a valve seat, a second sidewall on an opposite side of said tube, a resilient valve member supported on said second sidewall, said valve member having an upper wall converging from said second sidewall toward said valve seat, said valve member in the open position being retracted to one side of said slot to permit the discharge of materials to said tube, mechanically actuated thrust means connected to said valve member and adjustably supported on said second sidewall, means cooperating with said thrust means and reacting against said second sidewall for expanding said resilient valve member laterally over said slot, and a sealing portion on said valve member engaging said valve seat to close said slot relative to said discharge opening, and said thrust means including a plurality of members extending through said side wall and being embedded in said valve member, and a connector member embedded within said valve member connecting said members.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 3, said thrust members having threaded portions, and said cooperating means including screw means rotatably supported on said second sidewall drivingly engaging said screw means. 